Intrigued by our introduction to BBC iPlayer Radio? Want to catch up on what's been spreading over the airwaves in the United Kingdom? Here are some quick good and bad points about using BBC iPlayer Radio.

Pros

Don't pay a pound — The BBC iPlayer Radio is free to use. Listen to as many or as few programs as you want… it won't cost you anything but time.

Always be in the know — You can search for programs based on their names, their genres, or what BBC (affiliate) station they're aired on. You can also check the schedules of BBC's (affiliate) stations to see what's coming on the air next.

Radio, to go — BBC iPlayer Radio's "Podcasts" section lets you download certain programs right onto your computer, so that you can listen to them without having to be on the BBC iPlayer Radio website, or worry about when said programs expire.

Your one-stop UK radio portal — The BBC iPlayer Radio app lets you listen to live radio from BBC stations all across the UK, as well as even some commercial UK radio stations… all without having to download extra software or leave the BBC iPlayer Radio website!

Cons

Big Ben is ticking — Most programs on the BBC iPlayer Radio are only available for about a month after they're put up. If you miss that deadline, you may have to wait a while in order to be able to hear that program, or you may not be able to hear it at all… at least not on the iPlayer Radio.

Beware of blackouts — Certain programs or program episodes may not be available on the BBC iPlayer Radio, not because their availability window has expired, but because the BBC doesn't have the required extended broadcast rights for them. This is especially the case with sporting events.

The Bottom Line: 8.5/10

BBC iPlayer Radio is your go-to solution for listening to radio in the United Kindgom without having to set foot on the British Isles. You can listen to almost any UK radio station — or any available pre-recorded BBC program on demand — from anywhere that you can access the BBC iPlayer Radio website. You can listen to as many or as few programs as you want without shelling out any extra money. And you can download "podcast" versions of certain programs, so you can take them anywhere without having to worry about them expring.

The main thing to remember is that BBC iPlayer Radio isn't a full program archive. Most programs are only available for a limited amount of time, and others are available only for about a day, if at all. If you want recaps of breaking news or the latest cricket or rugby match, for example, you'll have to be quick… or else you'll have to hear or read about it someplace else.

Still interested in hearing what BBC iPlayer Radio has to say? Smashing! We'll start by teaching you how to use the website to browse for and play pre-recorded BBC programs on demand in the next course tutorial.

What is BBC iPlayer Radio?

BBC iPlayer Radio brings your favourite radio programs from the United Kingdom right to your computer. Not only is it free to use, but you don't even have to be in the UK to use it! So whether you're a native Brit who wants to keep up with news from home or just a person interested in what life's like on the isles across the Atlantic, BBC iPlayer Radio has you covered.

How can I use BBC iPlayer Radio?

Find and catch up with your favourite BBC radio programs by listening to them on demand through the BBC iPlayer Radio website!

Do you prefer your BBC programming "to go"? Check out their "Podcasts" section, where you can download episodes of BBC programs right onto your computer so that you can listen to them any time that you want!

Access the BBC iPlayer Radio app to listen to live radio from BBC stations — as well as several other commercial radio stations — all across the UK!

Before we get started, let's briefly go over the pros and cons of BBC iPlayer Radio. See you next tutorial!